Environmentally friendly wellbore consolidating/fluid loss material

Abstract

As disclosed herein, an oil-based fluid includes an oleaginous continuous phase, a non-oleaginous discontinuous phase, and a plurality of psyllium seed husks.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An oil-based wellbore fluid comprising:
 an oleaginous continuous phase;   a non-oleaginous discontinuous phase; and   a plurality of psyllium seed husks.   
     
     
         2 . The wellbore fluid of  claim 1 , wherein the oil-based continuous phase is selected from the group of petroleum oil, a natural oil, a synthetically derived oil, a mineral oil, a silicone oil, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The wellbore fluid of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of psyllium seed husks is dispersed in the oleaginous continuous phase. 
     
     
         4 . The wellbore fluid of  claim 3 , wherein the psyllium seed husks are coated or uncoated. 
     
     
         5 . The wellbore fluid of  claim 4 , wherein the psyllium seed husks have a particle size distribution from about 4 mesh size to about 400 mesh size. 
     
     
         6 . The wellbore fluid of  claim 1 , wherein the oil-based wellbore fluid is a drilling fluid. 
     
     
         7 . The wellbore fluid of  claim 6 , wherein a concentration of the psyllium seed husks in the drilling fluid is up to 150 g/l. 
     
     
         8 . The wellbore fluid of  claim 1 , wherein the oil-based wellbore fluid is a fluid loss pill. 
     
     
         9 . A method of reducing loss of wellbore fluid in a wellbore to a formation, the method comprising:
 pumping an oil-based wellbore fluid into a wellbore, the wellbore fluid comprising:
 an oleaginous continuous phase; 
 a non-oleaginous discontinuous phase; and 
 a plurality of psyllium seed husks; and 
   exposing the plurality of psyllium seed husks to water.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of psyllium seed husks is dispersed in the oleaginous continuous phase. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein exposing the plurality of psyllium seed husks to water is performed by destabilization of an emulsion downhole. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein exposing the plurality of psyllium seed husks to water causes the formation of a mucilaginous gel. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the formation of the mucilaginous gel occurs prior to the reaching a lost circulation zone. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein pumping the oil-based wellbore fluid into a wellbore through a plurality of nozzles of a drill bit disrupts the non-oleaginous discontinuous phase. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising allowing the psyllium seed husks to enter a lost circulation zone and to form a seal or a plug at an entrance of a fracture, fissure or vug or inside a fracture, fissure or vug, to reduce loss circulation into the wellbore. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the psyllium seed husks are coated or uncoated. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the psyllium seed husks have a particle size distribution from about 4 mesh size to about 400 mesh size. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the wellbore fluid is a drilling fluid. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein a concentration of the psyllium seed husks in the drilling fluid is up to 150 g/l. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the wellbore fluid is a fluid loss pill.